Southampton captain Jose Fonte has told the club he wants to leave.
Saints director of football Les Reed says the 33-year-old has made it clear he wants a transfer, having rejected opportunities to extend his contract, which still has 18 months to run.
A member of Portugal's Euro 2016-winning squad last summer, Fonte has regularly been linked with a move to Manchester United.
He has made well over 250 appearances for Southampton since arriving from Crystal Palace in 2010 but wrote on Instagram last month: "Just to set the record straight I did not reject a new contract.
"In fact, I have been informed by Southampton that they are not offering me a new contract."
However, Reed told BBC Radio Solent on Thursday: "He's had several opportunities to improve the contract situation. He's reserved his right not to do that.
"He's made it very clear he would like to explore the opportunities for a transfer.
"That's where we are at the moment, Jose wants to leave the club. He's formally asked for a transfer."